Amid leadership shakeups, the Kennedy Center prepares to stage a Cai Guo-Qiang premiere.
As the Trump administration’s abrupt takeover of the Kennedy Center sparks artistic boycotts and donor exits, the institution pushes forward with the premiere of Interspecies Love Letter: Sky Painting for Earth to Space by Cai Guo-Qiang (and his custom AI model, named cAI). The large-scale, interactive spectacle, featuring fireworks and projections over the Potomac, launches a three-week festival celebrating the cosmos. Meanwhile, Trump appointee Paolo Zampolli recently shared his vision for a radical transformation of the center, proposing fashion shows, a marina, and even art sent into space.
RISD has launched its first undergraduate department dedicated to STEAM education.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is introducing its first undergraduate department dedicated to STEAM education with the launch of Computation, Technology and Culture. This new department, RISD’s first in nearly 30 years, offers two BFA programs—Art and Computation, and Sound—which merge technology with creative practice, preparing students for careers in fields such as human-computer interaction, digital art, and sound design.
British researchers may have identified the only portrait of Lady Jane Grey.
Researchers at the cultural nonprofit English Heritage believe they have identified the only known portrait of Lady Jane Grey created before her execution in 1554. Infrared analysis revealed alterations to the painting, including changes to her attire and the addition of a white scarf, likely made to emphasize her Protestant martyrdom. If confirmed, the painting offers a rare glimpse of England’s ill-fated “nine-day queen” as she was seen in her lifetime.
Manolo Blahnik partners with the University of the Arts London on a three-year scholarship program.
Manolo Blahnik has launched a scholarship at the London College of Fashion to support students in the Cordwainers Footwear program, covering three years of study and contributing to living expenses. Open to both U.K.-based and international students, the initiative aims to remove financial barriers and nurture innovation in footwear design. It also seems to be a logical next step for the company, whose CEO Kristina Blahnik launched its foundation in 2022 and expressed that supporting future designers has been “a lifelong dream.”
The Department of Justice is (still) pushing for Alphabet to disband as part of its antitrust case.
The Department of Justice has renewed its call for Google to sell Chrome as part of its antitrust case, arguing that the company’s dominance limits consumer choice. The revised proposal also suggests Google should either change its Android business practices to allow more competition or divest the operating system entirely. Google has pushed back, proposing restrictions on its business deals instead of breaking up its core products, with a court hearing set for April.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Apple’s M4-powered Mac Studio could be the key to its AI ambitions.
Sumptuous wardrobes, villas, and palazzos star in Netflix’s The Leopard adaptation.
Teeny-tiny paintings are taking the art world by storm.
A Kensington Palace exhibition examines the power dynamics of royal wardrobes.
